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Apple iTunes Patent Settlement Hints?
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guys this is fantastic news! yep, that's right fantastic. i'll be honest i usually loathe these types of patents, they're exceptionally lame and are clearly used by companies/individuals incapable of actually making something.
in this case though think beyond microsoft/creative/napster et. al. think bigger as in universal music group. can you imagine the negotiations now.
universal: we want a dollar for each ipod sold
apple: no.
universal: fine we're pulling our catalog from itunes
apple: you know, we sort of own the patent on purchasing music online (not to mention movies, games, etc...) what good is owning all that music if you've got nowhere to sell it?
universal: #@$%
in this case though think beyond microsoft/creative/napster et. al. think bigger as in universal music group. can you imagine the negotiations now.
universal: we want a dollar for each ipod sold
apple: no.
universal: fine we're pulling our catalog from itunes
apple: you know, we sort of own the patent on purchasing music online (not to mention movies, games, etc...) what good is owning all that music if you've got nowhere to sell it?
universal: #@$%
take that Universal
If Apple now ownes these rights; look out everyone who tried to take a bite out of Apple... great news
If Apple now ownes these rights; look out everyone who tried to take a bite out of Apple... great news
I really like this. This means that Apple can finally knock out M$ and charge them for ZMP. Congrats!
Wait a second!
Isn't this patent almost exactly the same as the style menu system patent that Creative is holding over Apple Computer for the iPod interface ?
The pictures on the linked page's image content look quite similar to the diagrams provided in the creative lawsuit. (well to me) Could Apple perhaps be using this patent control to be used to nullify the lawsuit or action from creative ?
Either way, I hope Apple doesn't go after other companies with this new control. It would be as annoying and stupid as Creative going After Apple for their iPod interface!
BTW the site appears to be quite slow today ( for me ) Is macrumors working with Apple to release new MacBook Pro's today ?
Isn't this patent almost exactly the same as the style menu system patent that Creative is holding over Apple Computer for the iPod interface ?
The pictures on the linked page's image content look quite similar to the diagrams provided in the creative lawsuit. (well to me) Could Apple perhaps be using this patent control to be used to nullify the lawsuit or action from creative ?
Either way, I hope Apple doesn't go after other companies with this new control. It would be as annoying and stupid as Creative going After Apple for their iPod interface!
BTW the site appears to be quite slow today ( for me ) Is macrumors working with Apple to release new MacBook Pro's today ?
To draw the game anaolgy.
This is a hand of Texas hold em.
Apple drew an ace and a queen.
Universal (et el) have two Kings
First three cards
K A K
Next K
Last A.
This is the one patent that will bring Movie and the Record people to thier senses and be happy with what they have. Not to mention Apple can always nail M$ and the Zune.
Or the better yet . . . Apple selling at 99 cents and everyone else at 1.19.
I have to agree with others . . . I am not sure this should even be allowed.
This is a hand of Texas hold em.
Apple drew an ace and a queen.
Universal (et el) have two Kings
First three cards
K A K
Next K
Last A.
This is the one patent that will bring Movie and the Record people to thier senses and be happy with what they have. Not to mention Apple can always nail M$ and the Zune.
Or the better yet . . . Apple selling at 99 cents and everyone else at 1.19.
I have to agree with others . . . I am not sure this should even be allowed.
Yeah, I would hope that Apple doesn't chase down everybody else just because they have the power to -- if what this lawyer is saying is even true.
The way he talks about it, it sounds like an absurdly broad patent...just another abuse of an over-worked, under-funded USPTO.
Apple doesn't need to do anything to make the Zune fail. It's doing it on its own from what I can gather from the lack of news on it.
B
B
No one should have control of a patent like this. Generic, unused software patents like this should be destroyed. If someone else like Creative or Microsoft had gotten this patent all of you would be crying foul.
You may thank the stupid practices first pushed by the USPTO (and recently lobbied towards the EPO), in order to safeguard what one may call IPR protectionism spread out to a TRIPS-regulated world...
Software patents should be granted only in a handful of cases, as the basic requirements of the law and the main principles applicable to patent protection are not fulfilled AT ALL for most cases.
So much for novelty and industrial application...
No one should have control of a patent like this. Generic, unused software patents like this should be destroyed. If someone else like Creative or Microsoft had gotten this patent all of you would be crying foul.
I agree with you there. I really hope Apple doesn't try and bully other companies with this. Don't sink to Universal's level.
Didn't Apple drag Microsoft to court over Look 'n Feel issues in Windows? Even though the only similarities seem to be windows, icons, menus and pointer (AKA, WIMP).
Software-patents should not exist, period. Patents like this are a BAD thing, regardless of who owns them.
No one should have control of a patent like this. Generic, unused software patents like this should be destroyed. If someone else like Creative or Microsoft had gotten this patent all of you would be crying foul.
I agree. I find the story a bit disturbing.
No one should have control of a patent like this. Generic, unused software patents like this should be destroyed. If someone else like Creative or Microsoft had gotten this patent all of you would be crying foul.
+1
Let's be rational about this. If M$ got a hold of this they'd absolutely body-slam Apple with it... over, and over, and over and...
... it's in the good guys' hands. This is HUGE against Creative, M$ and any others that would try to use completely underhanded tactics just to chip away at Apple's farily-gotten market share. I don't belive Apple will be evil about this. I think it's just a giant "missle defense" system they can pull out at any time against M$ and the like.
For the first time in a long time M$ can't just push the little guy around.
Rejoice, Apple fans, and be glad.
Would read better as:
Apple drew an ace and a queen. (of hearts)
Universal (et el) have two Kings
First three cards
K A K(hearts)
Next J(hearts)
Last 10(hearts)
Then a royal strait flush for Apple = Unbeatable position at the last minute...
Is that what you were trying to convey?
Also...
I was under the impression that if Apple holds this patent, then it is ther obligation to enforce and protect it. If they don't then they loose it.
IIRC, the settlement with Creative gave Apple the rights to some of any further licence fees from the Creative patent. So Apple have nothing further to fear from that particular patent, and will actually benefit if it is successfully "extended" to other companies in the future.
But yes, this current patent may just be held back as a defensive patent.
you make a good point there.
nevertheless i voted this rumor negative because a) the idea is so obvious and should not be patentable and b) apple paid for a obvious thing
but well, if it can be used to kick the music execs butt's then at least something good comes from it.
Obviously somebody here doesn't remember one of the most notorious software court battles when Apple sued MS for copying the "look and feel" of its OS over a decade ago...